Adoration Falls Deaf On The Compassion Impaired

Nothing drives me more nuts than being ill perceived. It humbles me to my core. Being misconstrued is most frustrating! I haven't the energy to chase people around and prove my intent or my life mission statement.I have had a very humbling experience with trying to find my niche in music. Lots of doors slammed in my face, tons of rejection and a lot of humbling silence. For someone like me who doesn't like to compete, I sure have put myself out there and into a huge shark tank. A virtual free for all for recognition and acceptance. It's not as much fun as I thought it would be!
What started as a desire to do something more than nothing has proven to be a bitter pill... I got an email full of discouragment from someone in the biz whom I truly admired. This artists manager let me know how this artist feels about covers of his music. If it were up to this artist he would take down all of the cover artists on YouTube. He apparently hates people to cover his songs. This mans manager inplies that the whole music industry is about to quash any and all covers done by indie artists. Slapping copyright infringements on all cover artists. She also eludes to a takedown of all of the covers on YouTube!
I was told in no uncertain terms that I should remove all of my cover videos in an effort to protect my channel on YouTube and SoundCloud. This particular hired mouthpiece comes via one of my most highly regarded artist. Here is a letter that I wrote:

Subject: Cover use of a few Roger Hodgson songs...

Dear Ms. Gianotti,

I am a housewife who plays piano by ear. I'm asking permission to cover a few of Roger's songs for my YouTube channel. It is mostly for my own enjoyment. I am not looking to make money and have
not received monetary compensation on anything that I cover. 

I have three of my own originals that I hope to do something with! I cover various artists and if you 

would like to check out my channel please feel free to do so under  the name, Tyna J. Metzner. I also 

have a SoundCloud channel in the same name. I am and have been a fan of Roger's music for 35+
years. What an incredible songwriter/ artist!

The songs I would like to cover of Roger's are of the following...

Fool's Overture

Dreamer

Don't Leave Me Now

Hide In Your Shell

I would very much like to be able to post my covers of these songs on my YouTube channel!

Please let me know if and how I might be able to do so...

Thank you for your time! 

Sincerely,

Tyna J. Metzner

Here is the response that I got back...

Hello Tyna,

Thank you for your message and thank you for being such a big fan of Roger Hodgson’s.    Regarding
uploading cover videos on YouTube, you may or may not be aware that anytime a video or audio 

using copyrighted lyrics and/or composition is uploaded on YouTube or any other video site/website,
a sync license is required.   Whether or not a monetaray profit is made from the video(s) or audio is
not relevant.  Universal Music owns the publishing rights to Roger’s songs and therefore they would need to grant such a license.   As a side note and to protect your channel and other sites, please be aware that labels and their representatives are in the process of removing thousands of unlicensed videos and audio files from YouTube and other sites for copyright infringement.   

We wish you the best of luck with your endeavors and hope you continue with your musical aspirations.  

Best to you,

Linda Tyler

 Needless to say,  many thoughts ran through my mind after I read this. I really resent the tone of this. 
Condescending and so territorial! The farthest thing from wishing someone good luck in their 
endeavors. 

Never mind the spirit and adoration in which prompted my covers of  this mans songs. If I'm honest I 

admit feeling crushed! Crushed in spirit and my loyalty as a devoted fan. I guess in someway I was hoping that Roger Hodgson's camp would find my adoration to be sweet or charming?

On my two mile powerwalk This morning I had time to ponder this humbling confrontation...I realize  that things and people are never what you think they are. Perception is subjective with a ton of varibles. You can't try to impose yourself on people even if your intention is to make them smile. People don't give a damn about anything or anyone other than their own agenda. If you don't fit within thier opportunistic venue to them you don't belong. The egos of big name artists kill me! 

 I will continue onward but with an understanding that nobody in the music biz wants to see me do well unless I pay them.😞

*Adoration falls deaf on those who are campassionate impaired. What happened to humility and humanity?
* I suppose part of me feels like a jilted lover whos affection is not returned. Silly that a 35 + year adoration of music can make you feel that way! Maybe I would understand this discompassionate thinking if I was a successful artist? Would I treat my fans like this?

I think this stinks!  What an eye opener and a huge disappointment!

Yet another ephinany and humbling experience to add to  my PhD in life experience.

Vacation Staycation You're In My Sights

I just finished my week together with all of these G-kids. I watched two of them while Mom and Dad vacationed in Mexico. I am worn out to say the least lol. They kept me on my toes! We did a few fun activities and I took them to the pool a few times. I hear that they had a good time. The youngest, 3 year old Kadee has been conveying her Gram experience to her parents referring to me as "YoMama" 

Lol I will forever be known to her as "YoMama". So cute!

Korbin and I had a nightly routine of sitting together with my iPad, watching cat videos on YouTube. I love that these G-kids inherited my adoration and love for cats! My poor kitties were loved on so much they became annoyed. They survived and are back to themselves today.

Clarice and Twink

I love these creatures so much and they know it!

I can't imagine not having cats in my home.

So now I can get back to creating some music! I haven't even turned my keyboard on for a week! I'm looking for my next creative project. I think I want to write another song. Nothing is as rewarding in music as writing. 

We are getting ready for our Tucson Staycation. Every year we go to Starr Pass Resort for 3 nights. It's nice to lounge around in the lazy river. By the third day you wear your T-shirt in the pool to give your back and shoulders a break from the intense AZ sun! Plenty of exercise and being with family. My daughter Britt and family join us for a day and night. I love this vacation! It is predicable and serene. The hydration stations are charming as can be with every kind of infused water you can imagine. If you get dehydrated, 

it's on you for the resort has made drinking water so inviting!

In the evening they have live music, tequila shots at sunset and Smores by the fire . The food is good. The breakfast buffet is spectacular. The grounds are lovely and  full of wildlife. From your balcony you can see wild javelina walking through the resort in the early morning hours.  The grounds people are forever chasing them off property.

Zoe and I intend to take the guided  morning hike the resort offers. Zoe has been bringing her BFF Paige for the last three years. She has much more fun and we adore having this gal join our fun. Tucson is about an hour and 30 min drive from Phoenix. Just the right amount of distance to feel like you are on vacation! I'm really looking forward to the down time!

You're Making Me Old Kid Slow Down!

For the life of me I've been trying hard to figure out how to get something going for myself in music!
I wish I could hide in my shell for awhile lol. I'm tired from entertaining toddlers, a seven year old boy and my 13 year old all week long!

I've had a busy and laborous week. Three have my G-kids have been staying with me for the week. One I am raising currently. The other two I am watching while my daughter and her husband are on vacation in Mexico for the week. They are returning tomorrow evening! It's been an interesting week trying to keep everyone entertainined and the house in order. Two toddler girls keep you on your toes!

Needless to say, I haven't had any time to play my keyboard.

Today is my oldest daughter Brittany's birthday.  I can't believe how fast the years are going by!

Not fancy but as far as I can tell, it tastes really good! I made this for Britt's family party this eve. I will take this over to her this eve. Just a yellow cake with Buttercreme frosting. I toasted coconut and sprinkled it on top. I will take a container of squirtable whipped cream for extra adornment lol. 

I enjoy baking for my family! B-days are fun! Will purchase candles that spell out Happy Birthday to adorn the cake. Viola, fancy enough?

This daughter is a wonderful gal. Always helping her family, her sisters and me as well. I appreciate all that she does and I'm so proud!

Happy Birthday Britt! 

Thirty one? Omg,  can I just push pause for awhile? I haven't gotten to do what I want to do yet lol! 

Kickin It In Sedona A Day Trip From Phoenix

Sedona, AZ!
We only live a few hours from Sedona so I'm not sure why we don't go more often! We enjoyed the drive and even drove through a downpour that sent a car behind us spinning out and into a ditch. Quite a storm for about 20 min. Monsoon season in the mountains is pretty intense. Thank goodness the storms are quick and pretty localized!

Some of the scenery in Sedona. So very pretty!

One of the shops we visited while in Sedona.

Alissa had fun with this metal dino.

Zoe started the hat craze...

The rest of us continued the hat craze...

Alissa 

Even Howard found a hat to try on!

Let Them Eat Cake

My finished Red,white and blue Facebook cake. 

Click on the arrow...

My daughter Zoe reminded me that this 4th of July was indeed on a Saturday just as in this song, Saturday In The Park written by Chicago.

This is a patriotic cake recipe that had been going around Facebook. It ended up being a fun cake to make and see all over the internet. I have a few other lady friends on Facebook that made and posted 

pics of their masterpiece lol.  

Plated cake with red, white and blue frosting / sprinkles. 

 Using a white cake mix, I divided the cake mix into three parts. Added red food coloring to one and blue to the other bowl. Easy but different enough to be fun.

I made a homemade potato salad and a fruit salad also. 

 It was probably the most laid back quiet 4th I've had in years. 

I hope you had a wonderful 4th as well!

Two Nice Brunches And A Cat Call

This weekend for me, was about trying to figure out social media promoting. Now that my year long copyright strike on YouTube has expired, I find my account in good standing!  I find that I am eligible for fan funding and monetization on YouTube. I can't see this as being a huge help but maybe a little? I spent a good deal of time reading and trying to figure out how to implement these new features to my account. Of course moneization can only occur on my own originals. Still it is liberating to be out from under that copyright ding against my account. I'm still rather miffed that I had to endure that. I had written to Roger Hodgson's management company explaining my mistake and ignorance. Even asking for permission to post my video. I heard nothing back and had to except my account being ineligible for certain money making features. A big price to pay for taking the time and energy to admire a song enough to learn it by ear, every chord, nuance and inflection!

I could have been trying to make some money this whole year with my originals had I not that copyright strike! Costly to be his fan! A big price to pay for something that came from my heart with adoration and appreciation for the creator. Cost me a whole year of the possibilty to earn money with my originals... Hmmm, guess I'm still perplexed, pissed and just plain insulted by the action.

The rest of my weekend was spent taking care of the family. I made two really nice brunches this weekend. Not uncommon, I do most weekends. We are doing a mini makeover on Zoe's room. I still have walls to paint and a desk to paint. She reorganized her closet and we are close to the painting project. Probably this week I will finish that up.

The following pics are a glimpse into my life view...

Chocolate chip pancakes and scrambled eggs that I made Saturday morning.

Eggs and bacon on Sunday 

With...

We don't indulge often but thourghly enjoy when we do! 

She's easy to please when it comes to eating ! Bless her heart she isn't picky! 

This is a typical view of my kitchen table for regular weekend brunches. With the exception of doughnuts lol.

I walked into Zoe's room and found Twinkle trying to make a call or text maybe lol? I thought this was a sweet pose. She is the sweetest cat creature!

Unlike my snippy, nippy but beloved fun loving meezer Clarice.

To What End Are We Willing To Gain?

This poem came to me as I was looking at Twitter posts lol. Those following me and the people that I follow, are all trying to make it in the music biz.  I am also, although I am not this...however, this came to my mind as I was reading peoples posts. We are all so desperate, hungry and incessant! OMG! 

To What End Are We Willing To Gain

Mirror mirror on the wall, who's the most desperate of them all? "They" clamor, conspire and congregate. To what ends will they try to seal their fate? Divisive, cunning and thoroughly wrought- they truly think that success can be bought!

 For the price of one's soul, is usually the toll. Oblivious, obstinate and utterly clueless, they wander the earth, become complacent and ruthless. Until one day they realize the void, become angry, distant and overly annoyed- For the impact of their strife to prosper, catches up with them and they count their losses. Greater are those, than monetary gain. Vanity and lack of humanity fan the flame...

When the ash settles around them and they return to status quo - they realize the 

err of their ways and, they secretly want "you" to know-

"They", wouldn't change a thing...